Intermodal Terminal Info & Opportunities May 3

The Winter Haven area’s long awaited Intermodal Terminal Project will take a big step forward on May 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Chain of Lakes Complex Gymnasium, 210 Cypress Gardens Boulevard. The open house will feature key personnel on hand to provide a project overview, information on job opportunities, business opportunities and other relevant information.

The format will be an open house with specific stations set up for each area, providing attendees with a convenient opportunity to get the information most important to them, in a manner convenient to their schedule.

This is one more exciting step in the economic development opportunities at Winter Haven’s door. The intermodal terminal is a project of Evansville Western Railway, a subsidiary of CSX Transportation.

The new rail-based intermodal terminal is being constructed on the cityâ€™s south side on a 318-acre site west of the CSXT mainline. Previously part of the City of Winter Havenâ€™s wastewater treatment plant, the site will have direct, easy access to State Route 60. Evansville Western Railway will build and own the rail facility. Construction will take about two years.

Economic Development

The new Winter Haven terminal, along with the freight rail improvements made by CSXT, will improve freight movement in the state and enhance Floridaâ€™s ability to compete for global trade. Construction of the project is expected to generate hundreds of jobs in Winter Haven and Polk County. Railroad service, related trucking operations, and development of an adjacent light industrial center could generate additional growth and jobs.

Polk Works hiring model

TransDevelopment and its key construction partner Nickolas Savko & Sons, an earthworks and specialty paving company, will work with Polk County-based local workforce development board Polk Works (www.polkworks.org) to identify qualified local suppliers and subcontractors to provide jobs and future supplier opportunities.